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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made {Titus 2 Tips Thursdays: A Guest Post}

Psalm 139:14 became my life verse the day I met with my dear friend Michele.

I had approached her after church one Sunday. We didn’t know each other very well at the time so approaching her to ask if she would meet me for a cup of coffee was a step outside of my comfort zone. My pastor had urged me to find a spiritual mentor and God nudged me toward Michele.

Would you meet me for coffee, Michele?

Without hesitation she replied, "Absolutely!"

We met at Panera. It didn't take long for her to ask why I had wanted to meet with her.

Oh yes, there is a reason.

Michele would be the second person I’d share my secret with. My pastor was first.

I shake in the knees because I always shake when telling pieces of my story. I don’t tell her all the parts. . . just enough.

I’ve been battling with bulimia for far too long. The reasons? There are many. I need help though. Would you help me? Be a mentor of sorts in this spiritual journey of mine?

She doesn't wait to start. I don’t even think she gave me an official yes to my question. She simply prayed those words from Psalm 139:14 over me.

We have met for coffee many times these past two years and every time we meet she asks, “How are you doing, Beth?” I know exactly what she wants to know. When my answer remains the same as the last time we met she says those words from Psalm 139:14 again.

We met again right before the Lenten season began.
I'm not sure why but this meeting was different.
Her voice, while still gentle, was stronger.
The words from Psalm 139:14 sunk deeper into my soul.

I left our time together with three words on my heart: “It is finished.” ~ John 19:30

Yes, God. I know. It’s time.

But how?

I'm figuring this out one day at a time. Can I share with you a few things I’ve learned and am still learning? Maybe you too have old tapes playing in your head that say you are not-enough and unworthy.

Let Christ in. Let Hope in. He is our Living Hope.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” ~ 1 Peter 1:3

Open up a Bible and let His Word breathe new life into your soul.
Don’t know where to start? Start with the Gospels. Let the Bible become your life manual.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When we let Him in, make a commitment to spend time in His word, name His graces and give thanks our hearts begin to transform. The problem was always with the heart. It’s a heart thing and thankfully Jesus specializes in heart transformations.

Does the transformation happen overnight? No.

I promise though, as you do these things over and over again, you will begin to unwrap God’s love for you. And those old tapes that may play in your head? It is finished — you have a new life in Christ.

I know this to be true.

How do I know?

For lent I gave up my eating disorder. I actually gave it up the last time I met with Michele—four weeks ago. I’m reading through the Bible, I’m naming His graces and I’m giving thanks in ALL things.

Freedom is within my reach.

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57

We are fearfully and wonderfully made and His works are wonderful.

You are enough. You are worthy. Because of Him.

Much love,
Beth

Beth Stiff is Simply Beth, at least that’s what her blog is called. A wife to her Army Reserve husband and a mom of two boys, with her oldest son serving in the Navy, and a mother-in-law too. She a Jesus lover, a family gal who loves her friends, and reading with a hot cup of coffee. Her life is changed, even after 20 years of marriage with a love that grows stronger. But the bottom line, is in the heart. Beth loves the heart things and to speak about the Love that changed her and keeps changing her. She’s an encourager who thrives on being in our corner. You can also find her over here, blogging, Twittering, Facebooking, and posting pictures to the Pinterest world.

I am honoured to host these guest posts in this series on women mentoring women.

Some weeks you may find tips from the kitchen or healthy recipes, tools other women have used to grow spiritually, hints to help us build up and love our husbands, and lessons they have learned as they have walked along with their children to teach them to love God wholeheartedly, habits they have developed in keeping their home, ways they have worked on to keep their behaviour respectful, or rhythms that allow peace and rest in the home and hearts that dwell there within.

Such courage, Beth! Your vulnerability here will bless others, I know. Praying that healing will continue to come for those broken places and His truth and love for you will overpower any temptation to fall back into old patterns.

I LOVE you. I am sorry it took me so long to find myself here to read these words. There are some things in my life that I need to give up, to allow God to take, to bring healing. You have given me courage. One day, my friend, we shall sit across a table and sit coffee together and share our hearts.